Contextual chapter navigation

ABSTRACT

A system and a method are disclosed for on-screen display that indicates to the user the current point in the playback of the video within the context of the chapter delineations. The user can access a chapter selection feature that presents a preview image from each chapter along with a timeline representing the video, and an indication on the timeline of where the chapters fall along the timeline. Alternatively, short video segments replace the still images as representing the chapters for some or all of the chapters. The user can select a chapter in which to resume playing the video by selecting one of the images or video segments.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/253,792, filed Oct. 21, 2009, titled “Contextual Chapter Navigation,”the contents of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Art

The disclosure generally relates to the field of navigating the playbackof digital content.

2. Description of Art

Many full-length DVDs storing playable content organize the content intodiscrete chapters to improve a user's ability to navigate to desiredcontent. An interface of most DVD players allows a user to navigate to aselected chapter, for example by selecting a preview image or a chaptertitle from a DVD menu, in order to begin viewing the DVD content fromthat chapter. Further, modern DVD players commonly have a chapter skipfeature that when selected by the user while the DVD is playing, forexample by depressing a corresponding button on the DVD player remotecontrol, causes the playback of the DVD to skip forward to the nextchapter delineation in the DVD content. Similarly, depressing a backwardchapter skip button on the DVD player remote control causes the playbackof the DVD to skip backward to the previous chapter delineation in theDVD content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The disclosed embodiments have other advantages and features which willbe more readily apparent from the detailed description, the appendedclaims, and the accompanying figures (or drawings). A brief introductionof the figures is below.

FIG. 1A is an example system architecture for navigating a contextualchapter selection, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 1B illustrates one embodiment of components of an example machineable to read instructions from a machine-readable medium and executethem in a processor (or controller), for example as a device capable ofplaying back content stored on a flash memory card.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example screen image illustrating a userinterface for navigating within the playback of a video, in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 2B illustrates the chapter timeline of the example screen image ofFIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example screen image of a user interface fornavigating a contextual chapter selection, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 3B illustrates the chapter timeline and chapter images of theexample screen image of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example method of displaying chapter images usingGreenPlay content, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example method of displaying still image previewsfrom a DVD, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example method of displaying video image previewsfrom a DVD, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method of displaying chapter previewimages from a network video, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8 an example method of navigating a contextual chapter selection,in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The Figures (FIGS.) and the following description relate to preferredembodiments by way of illustration only. It should be noted that fromthe following discussion, alternative embodiments of the structures andmethods disclosed herein will be readily recognized as viablealternatives that may be employed without departing from the principlesof what is claimed.

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments, examples ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying figures. It is noted thatwherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used inthe figures and may indicate similar or like functionality. The figuresdepict embodiments of the disclosed system (or method) for purposes ofillustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize fromthe following description that alternative embodiments of the structuresand methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing fromthe principles described herein.

Configuration Overview and System Architecture

One embodiment of a disclosed system, method and computer readablestorage medium includes an on-screen display that indicates to the userthe current point in the playback of the video within the context of thechapter delineations. In one implementation, during a playback (e.g.,play) of content from, for example, a secure digital (SD) card, the usercan access a chapter selection feature that presents a preview imagefrom each chapter of a video along with a timeline representing thevideo, and an indication on the timeline of where the chapters fallalong the timeline. This provides an improved, intuitive navigation bythe user among the chapters of a video. It is noted that the playbackcan continue on screen while the chapter selection feature displays in aforeground. It is noted that the structural characteristics of the SDcard (e.g., form factor, pin connections) are defined through the SDCard Association

In one embodiment, the user's current position in the playback may alsobe shown on the timeline. This provides a further point of reference tovisually orient the user to the relative position of the chapters in thevideo.

In another embodiment, video previews replace the preview images asrepresenting each chapter. A video preview comprises a video sequence ofpredetermined time period (e.g., anywhere from 1 second to the length ofthe chapter) from a corresponding chapter. In one embodiment, eachchapter may include a video preview that plays within a frame (e.g., adefined small frame border such as a box or circle). In anotherembodiment, still images from chapters are shown and a video preview isactivated when a pointer or a selection box is placed on the still imagerepresenting the chapter. The user can select a chapter in which toresume playing the video by selecting one of the video previews.

FIG. 1A is an example system architecture 1000 for navigating acontextual chapter selection, in accordance with an embodiment. Theexample system architecture 1000 includes an SD card 150, as an exampleof a media storage device, and a playback device 160. In one embodiment,the SD card 150 is a flash memory device having flash memory storage andcorresponding controller for use with access to the flash memory and itscontents.

The media storage device 150 may be structured in two components. Afirst component corresponds to content related data. The content relateddata includes the playable content (e.g., movie itself, for example asan MPEG-4 media file) and the corresponding files such as a licensefile, and any playback related metadata such as language selection,close captioning or subtitles. A second component corresponds toon-screen display related data. The on-screen display can be presentedas an overlay on the playable content, as will be shown and describedwith reference to FIGS. 2A-4. The on-screen display related data caninclude the chapter structure for the playable content, the chaptertitles and any accompanying text, and the preview images (includingstill or moving images within the frames), along with the timeline ofthe playable content.

The playback device 160 receives the SD card into an SD card slot.Playback firmware 166 can read the data from the SD card and can causethe playback device 160 to play the playable content in accordance withthe associated license terms stored on the SD card 150. The playbackfirmware 166 also includes an on-screen display assembler 168 thatassembles the chapter structure, the chapter titles, the image/videopreviews, and the playable content timeline into an on-screen displaythat will be shown and described with reference to FIGS. 2A-3B. It isnoted that the playback firmware 166 includes a playback application toplay back the contents of the SD card. However, in alternateembodiments, the playback application can be separately added to asystem that does not have firmware with the playback applicationintegrated. For ease of discussion reference herein is made to playbackfirmware 166 having a playback application, but it should be understoodthat the principles described herein would apply to a playbackapplication that may be added to a playback firmware initially lackingan integrated playback application.

In one embodiment, during playback of the playable content, the playbackdevice 160 determines if an instruction has been triggered correspondingto the on-screen display, e.g., a selection on a remote control forchapter information sends an interrupt signal to the playback device 160that is translated to recall the on-screen display. Depending on aconfiguration selection, the playback is either paused or continuedwhile the on-screen display overlays on top of the playback and includestimeline and/or chapter interfaces as shown and described in FIGS.2A-3B. For configurations that have preview images from the chapters,the on-screen display assembler retrieves preview image files from theSD card 150. For those configurations having video previews, theon-screen display assembler 168 retrieves the video preview files (e.g.,an .avi or animated gif file) from the SD card 150.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating components of an examplemachine, for use for example as a playback device 160, able to readinstructions from a machine-readable medium and execute them in aprocessor (or controller). Specifically, FIG. 1B shows a diagrammaticrepresentation of a machine in the example form of a playback computersystem 100 within which instructions 124 (e.g., software) for causingthe machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussedherein may be executed. In alternative embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to othermachines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in thecapacity of a server machine or a client machine in a server-clientnetwork environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (ordistributed) network environment.

The machine may be a computer or any machine capable of executinginstructions 124 (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to betaken by that machine. Further, while only a single machine isillustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include anycollection of machines that individually or jointly execute instructions124 to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The example playback computer system 100 includes a processor 102 (e.g.,a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), adigital signal processor (DSP), one or more application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), one or more radio-frequency integratedcircuits (RFICs), or any combination of these), a main memory 104, and anon-volatile memory 106, which are configured to communicate with eachother via a bus 108. The computer system 100 may further includegraphics display unit 110 (e.g., a plasma display panel (PDP), a liquidcrystal display (LCD), a projector, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). Theplayback computer system 100 may also include an alphanumeric or buttonstructural components 112 (e.g., for a keyboard or keypad), a cursorcontrol structural components 114 (e.g., for a mouse, a trackball, ajoystick, a motion sensor, a remote control, or other pointinginstrument), a storage unit 116, a signal generation structuralcomponents 118 (e.g., for a speaker), an input/output (I/O) interface128 and a network interface device 820, which also are configured tocommunicate via the bus 108. It is noted that the I/O interface 128includes a structure to interface with a flash media storage device. Forexample, the I/O interface 128 may include a universal serial bus (USB)interface to couple (physically and/or communicatively) with a USBconfigured flash memory drive. Alternately, or in addition, the I/Ointerface 128 may include an SD reader to communicatively couple with anSD card.

The storage unit 116 includes a machine-readable medium 122 on which isstored instructions 124 (e.g., software) embodying any one or more ofthe methodologies or functions described herein. The instructions 124(e.g., software) may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 104 or within the processor 102 (e.g., within aprocessor's cache memory) during execution thereof by the computersystem 100, the main memory 104 and the processor 102 also constitutingmachine-readable media. The instructions 124 (e.g., software) may betransmitted or received over a network 126 via the network interfacedevice 120.

While machine-readable medium 122 is shown in an example embodiment tobe a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should be takento include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized ordistributed database, or associated caches and servers) able to storeinstructions (e.g., instructions 124). The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring instructions (e.g., instructions 124) for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies disclosed herein. The term “machine-readable medium”includes, but not be limited to, data repositories in the form ofsolid-state memories, optical media, and magnetic media.

Playback Navigation

In one embodiment, a user may play a movie stored on an SD card throughthe playback computer system 100. The movie stored on the SD cardincludes metadata. The metadata includes data corresponding to menuitems corresponding to the movie (e.g., play, set up, special features,and chapter navigation). As the user selects to play the movie (e.g.,through selection of play among the menu, the user may seek to find whatis in subsequent chapters or what was in prior chapters. Moreover, theuser may seek to have control over whether to continue to watch themovie or pause, while a timeline and/or chapter details are available inthe foreground.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example screen image illustrating a userinterface for navigating within the playback of a video, in accordancewith one embodiment. In this example, when a user presses a playbackcontrol during playback of the video, e.g., pause, fast forward, rewind,chapter skip, etc., an on-screen display 200 is presented to the user.FIG. 2B illustrates a blown up version of the on-screen display 200 ofFIG. 2A. The on-screen display includes an indication of or symbolrepresenting the status 225 of the playback. In this example, the videohas been paused. The on-screen display also includes a timeline 220. Theelapsed time 221 from the beginning of the video is shown to the left ofthe timeline 220 and the time remaining 222 until the end of the videois shown to the right of the timeline 220. These numbers 221 and 222 areupdated as the current position in the video playback is altered. Thetimeline 220 also includes demarcations of the beginning of chapters 224of the video spaced proportionately along the timeline 220 to correspondto the times the chapters 224 begin. In one embodiment, the timelinealso includes a marker 223 to indicate the current position within thevideo playback. As a user presses playback controls, e.g., fast forward,rewind, chapter skip, etc., the marker 223 indicating the currentposition within the video playback moves accordingly. In oneimplementation, the chapter title 226 corresponding to the currentposition within the video playback is also displayed. As the userpresses playback controls that cause the current position within thevideo playback to move between chapters, the chapter title 226 updatesaccordingly.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example screen image of a user interface fornavigating a contextual chapter selection, in accordance with oneembodiment. In this example, when a user presses a playback control, forexample a chapter skip button, the on-screen display 300 is presented tothe user. Similar to the example shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the on-screendisplay 300 includes a chapter timeline 200 having demarcations of thebeginnings of chapters 224, and a marker 223 to indicate the currentposition within the video playback. Also similar to the example of FIGS.2A and 2B, the elapsed time 221 from the beginning of the video is shownto the left of the timeline 220 and the time remaining 222 until the endof the video is shown to the right of the timeline 220. The title of thecurrent chapter 226 can be displayed below the timeline 220.

FIG. 3B illustrates an enlarged version of the on-screen display 300showing the chapter timeline 220 and chapter images 231, of the examplescreen image of FIG. 3A. In one embodiment, an image from each chapterrepresents that chapter in a line of chapter images that visuallyrepresents the sequence of chapters within the video in order. In oneembodiment, the chapter timeline 220 and the chapter images 231 aredisplayed on different parts of the screen. For example, the chapterimages may be across the top of the screen and the time line may beacross the bottom of the screen. In one variation, the timeline andchapter images 231 are presented vertically within the on-screendisplay, rather than horizontally as shown in FIG. 3B. Whether displayedvertically or horizontally, the line of chapter images 231 operates as avisual queue for the user, to assist in navigating to the playback ofparticular video portions. In some cases, a chapter image 231 is from anopening sequence of the chapter, whereas in other cases, the chapterimage 231 is from a distinctive, memorable, or representative scene fromthe content of the chapter. An outline frame 233, or any other focusidentifier, highlights the chapter image for the chapter correspondingto the current position within the video playback. In oneimplementation, the outline frame 233 remains in the middle of on-screendisplay 300, and the chapter images 231 slide to the left and rightbehind the outline frame 233 that highlights the current chapter. Forexample, when a user selects to skip forward by a chapter from thecurrent position shown in FIG. 3B, the chapter images 231 each slide oneposition to the left, so that the chapter 5 image is behind the outlineframe 233, the chapter 4 image is immediately to the left of the frame,and so forth. Concurrently, in one embodiment, the current positionmarker 223 skips forward (i.e., to the right) to the next beginning ofchapter demarcation 224 along the timeline 220, in this case,representing chapter 5.

In one embodiment, the on-screen display 300 can be accessed by the userwhile the video continues to play in the background. As time elapses inthe video playback, elements 221, 222, 223, and the chapter image withinframe 233 update accordingly. In another embodiment, accessing theon-screen display 300 automatically pauses the playback of the videowhile the user makes a selection to navigate between chapters. In oneimplementation, when a chapter skip button is pushed the first time, theon-screen display 300 is presented and the playback is instantly skippedto the next chapter. In another implementation, when the chapter skipbutton is pushed, the on-screen display 300 is presented, but theplayback is only skipped based on subsequent presses of the chapter skipbutton. In another variation, subsequent presses of the chapter skipbutton after the on-screen display is presented causes the chapterimages 231 to slide to the left or right so that a new chapter imageappears within the frame 233, but the current location marker 233 doesnot change position until the user confirms the selection, for exampleby pressing “enter.” Then, the playback jumps to the beginning of thechapter represented by the chapter image within the frame 233, and theon-screen display 300 closes. In one embodiment, the on-screen displaycloses after a preconfigured wait time, for example 5 to 10 seconds,although shorter or longer times can also be used.

In another embodiment, the chapter images 231 that represent eachchapter are replaced by a sequence of images from the chapter, forexample, a short video segment. Each of the short video segments cancontain a few seconds of video from a corresponding chapter, for example5 to 10 seconds in length. Shorter or longer segments can also be used.The video segment can be from the beginning of the chapter or from asegment within the chapter, for example, a distinctive, memorable, orrepresentative segment from the content of the chapter.

In another embodiment, only some of the chapter images 231 thatrepresent each chapter are replaced by a short video preview. Thus, amix of still images and video previews can be used to visually representthe sequence of chapters in the video. In one implementation, all of thechapter images 231 are still images except for the chapter image withinthe frame 233 which is substituted for a video preview. Thus, forexample, when a user selects to skip forward by a chapter from thecurrent position shown in FIG. 3B, the chapter images 231 each slide oneposition to the left, so that the still image that used to representchapter 5 is replaced by a video preview representing chapter 5 behindthe outline frame 233, and the chapter 4 video preview is replaced by astill image from chapter 4 that appears immediately to the left of theframe 233, and so forth.

FIGS. 4-7 illustrate examples of implementations of methods ofdisplaying chapter preview images or videos according to variousembodiments adapted to be used for videos from a variety of sources.FIGS. 4-7 are merely several example implementations, and many othersexist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example method 400 of displaying chapter imagesusing a playback media configuration in accordance with an embodiment.The playback media configuration may include processor (or controller)readable instructions to enable playback of secured media content on aplayback device 160. In step 401, the user initiates playback of securedmedia content from an SD card. For example, the user may insert an SDcard 150 loaded with secured media content into the playback device 160.In step 402, metadata is read from files stored separately from thevideo file. Metadata and video files are matched using a GUI stored inthe video file with same GUID contained in the metadata file structures.A video file is also referred to herein as an “asset”. The metadata fileincludes chapter titles, chapter start times, and the location on the SDcard of chapter preview images that correspond to the playable content.Then, in step 403, it is determined whether any metadata is missing fromthe playback metadata files. If metadata file(s) is missing, then instep 404, placeholder metadata from the playback firmware 166 isretrieved. In one example, the placeholder metadata includes defaultchapter images to use in place of any chapter image that is missing fromthe metadata in the playback media (GP.GPV) file.

In step 405, the player (in one embodiment, the on-screen displayassembler 168 of the playback firmware 166 on the playback device 160)assembles the chapter metadata into a memory structure read for display.The chapter metadata may include, for example, placeholder metadata fromthe player firmware 166 if metadata was missing in step 403.

In step 406, the user presses a control key such as skip, fast forward,or rewind. When the control key is pressed, an on-screen display isdisplayed. As described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the on-screendisplay can include a chapter timeline, chapter titles, and chapterpreview images. In step 407, as the user presses a control key such asskip, fast forward, or rewind, the on-screen display updates to show thecorrect chapter highlighted, the position on the timeline, and thechapter title. Thus, the user can contextually navigate between chaptersof the video playback, until the method 400 concludes when the videoplayback is stopped or completed 408.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example method 500 of displaying still imagepreviews from a DVD, in accordance with an embodiment. In step 501, theuser inserts a DVD into a player. In step 50, as the player beginsplayback, the player software reads the chapter index from the DVD. Inone embodiment, the chapter index includes the chapter start location onthe DVD for each chapter of each video on the DVD.

Thus, in step 503, while the player continues to play or render a DVDmenu, the player software jumps to the start location of each chapter ofeach video on the DVD and samples images moving forward until the playersoftware finds a frame which meets the image lamina threshold and storesthat image as a preview image. In one embodiment, the image laminathreshold is set so as to avoid a black or blank frame or to avoidstoring an image as a preview image that is from the beginning of asequence of images that are part of a fade-in sequence.

In step 504, the user initiates the playback of the video on the DVD,for example by pressing play. In step 505, the player assembles chaptermetadata, including the chapter preview images, into a memory structureready for display for that video. Then, in step 506, when the userpresses a control such as skip, fast forward, or rewind, the on-screendisplay is displayed with the chapter timeline, an the chapter previewimages. In step 507, as the user presses a control such as skip, fastforward, or rewind, the on-screen display is updated to show the correctchapter preview image highlighted and the position on the timeline.Thus, the user can contextually navigate between chapters of the videoplayback, until the method 500 concludes when the video playback isstopped or completed 508.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example method 600 of displaying video imagepreviews from a DVD, in accordance with an embodiment. Steps 501-508correspond to steps 601-608. However, at steps 603, 606 and 607, themethod 600 diverges from the method 500 to accommodate the differencesbetween the video image preview case as compared to the still imagepreview case. In step 603, while the player continues to play or rendera DVD menu, the player software jumps to the start location of eachchapter of each video and samples a segment of video and stores thatvideo segment as a preview video for the corresponding chapter.Accordingly, the step 606, the on-screen display is displayed with thechapter timeline and the chapter preview videos. Then, in step 607, asthe user presses a control such as skip, fast forward, or rewind, theon-screen display is updated to show the correct chapter preview videohighlighted and the position on the timeline. The process can betriggered until playback is stopped or completed 608.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example method 700 of displaying chapter previewimages from a network video, in accordance with an embodiment. In step701, the user initiates playback of the network video 701. In step 702,the player requests or gathers streaming network video chapter starttimes as part of streaming negotiation. It is noted that some existingprotocols already include this transfer of chapter-related data.

In step 703, the player assembles the chapter metadata into a memorystructure ready for display using placeholder images for chapterpreviews. The placeholder images or video for the chapter previews canbe used until the actual chapter preview images or video are available.In step 704, the player connects to the stream server with a secondconnection requesting a video frame or frames at the start of eachchapter. Then, in step 705, the placeholder chapter images or video arereplaced in the memory structure with images from the start of eachchapter from the video stream.

Subsequently, in step 706, when the user presses a control such as skip,fast forward, or rewind, the on-screen display is displayed with thechapter timeline and the chapter preview images or video. In step 707,as the user presses a control such as skip, fast forward, or rewind, theon-screen display is updated to show the correct chapter preview imageor video highlighted, the position on the timeline, and the chaptertitle. Thus, the user can contextually navigate between chapters of thenetwork video playback, until the method 700 concludes when the networkvideo playback is stopped or completed 708.

FIG. 8 an example method 800 of navigating a contextual chapterselection, in accordance with an embodiment. In step 801, a playbackcontrol input is received from the user.

For example, the user may select a button on a remote control of theplayback device, such as a chapter skip button, that triggers theopening 802 of the on-screen display 300. The on-screen display 300presents the chapter timeline 202 and the chapter images 231, videopreviews, or a mix of chapter images 231 and video previews, asdescribed above. The user uses the chapter timeline 202 and the chapterimages 231 to visually orient himself to where the user currently iswithin the playback, as shown by marker 223 compared to a desiredchapter for viewing. The user can the, navigate between the chapters byselecting a chapter skip button to skip either forward or backward.

In step 803, the chapter skip input is received. The chapter skip inputtriggers both moving 804 the chapter images 231 and moving 805 thecurrent position marker 223, both as described above with reference toFIGS. 3A-3B. The direction to move the chapter images 231 with respectto the frame 233 and the current position marker 223 with respect to thetimeline 220 depends on whether the chapter skip direction from thereceived chapter skip input was forward or backward. If the chapter skipdirection was forward, the chapter images 231 are moved one position tothe left, and the current position marker 223 is moved to the right. Ifthe chapter skip direction was backward, the chapter images 231 aremoved one position to the right, and the current position marker 223 ismoved to the left. As described above, the playback of the video iseither immediately jumped to the indicated chapter, or jumped after theuser confirms the chapter selection.

In step 806, it is determined whether more input is received within athreshold amount of time, for example 5 or 10 seconds. If more input isreceived, the method returns to step 403 in order to process furthernavigation of chapters within the on-screen display. If more input isnot received, then the on-screen display is closed 807.

Additional Configuration Considerations

Throughout this specification, plural instances may implementcomponents, operations, or structures described as a single instance.Although individual operations of one or more methods, e.g., in FIGS.4-8, are illustrated and described as separate operations, one or moreof the individual operations may be performed concurrently, and nothingrequires that the operations be performed in the order illustrated.Structures and functionality presented as separate components in exampleconfigurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component.Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single componentmay be implemented as separate components. These and other variations,modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of thesubject matter herein.

Certain embodiments are described herein as including logic or a numberof components, modules, or mechanisms, e.g., as described in FIGS. 1, 2,and 4-8. In example embodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., astandalone, client or server computer system) or one or more modules ofa computer system (e.g., processor 102 or a group of processors) may beconfigured by software (e.g., an application or application portion) asa module that operates to perform certain operations as describedherein. The one or more processors 102 may also operate to supportperformance of the relevant operations in a “cloud computing”environment or as a “software as a service” (SaaS). For example, atleast some of the operations may be performed by a group of computers(as examples of machines including processors), these operations beingaccessible via a network (e.g., the Internet) and via one or moreappropriate interfaces (e.g., application program interfaces (APIs)).

Modules may constitute either software modules (e.g., code embodied on amachine-readable medium or in a transmission signal) or hardwaremodules. A hardware module is tangible unit capable of performingcertain operations and may be configured or arranged in a certainmanner. Hardware modules can provide information to, and receiveinformation from, other hardware modules. Accordingly, the describedhardware modules may be regarded as being communicatively coupled. Wheremultiple of such hardware modules exist contemporaneously,communications may be achieved through signal transmission (e.g., overappropriate circuits and buses) that connect the hardware modules. Inembodiments in which multiple hardware modules are configured orinstantiated at different times, communications between such hardwaremodules may be achieved, for example, through the storage and retrievalof information in memory structures to which the multiple hardwaremodules have access. For example, one hardware module may perform anoperation and store the output of that operation in a memory device towhich it is communicatively coupled. A further hardware module may then,at a later time, access the memory device to retrieve and process thestored output. Hardware modules may also initiate communications withinput or output devices, and can operate on a resource (e.g., acollection of information).

In various embodiments, a hardware module may be implementedmechanically or electronically. For example, a hardware module maycomprise dedicated circuitry or logic that is permanently configured(e.g., as a special-purpose processor, such as a field programmable gatearray (FPGA) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) toperform certain operations. A hardware module may also compriseprogrammable logic or circuitry (e.g., as encompassed within theprocessor 102 or other programmable processor) that is temporarilyconfigured by software to perform certain operations. It will beappreciated that the decision to implement a hardware modulemechanically, in dedicated and permanently configured circuitry, or intemporarily configured circuitry (e.g., configured by software) may bedriven by cost and time considerations.

The various operations of example methods, e.g., the methods of FIGS.4-8, described herein may be performed, at least partially, by one ormore processors 102 that are temporarily configured (e.g., by software)or permanently configured to perform the relevant operations. Whethertemporarily or permanently configured, such processors may constituteprocessor-implemented modules that operate to perform one or moreoperations or functions. The modules referred to herein may, in someexample embodiments, comprise processor-implemented modules.

The performance of certain of the operations may be distributed amongthe one or more processors, not only residing within a single machine,but deployed across a number of machines. In some example embodiments,the one or more processors or processor-implemented modules may belocated in a single geographic location (e.g., within a homeenvironment, an office environment, or a server farm). In other exampleembodiments, the one or more processors or processor-implemented modulesmay be distributed across a number of geographic locations.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, discussions herein using wordssuch as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,”“presenting,” “displaying,” or the like may refer to actions orprocesses of a machine (e.g., a computer) that manipulates or transformsdata represented as physical (e.g., electronic, magnetic, or optical)quantities within one or more memories (e.g., volatile memory,non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof), registers, or othermachine components that receive, store, transmit, or displayinformation.

As used herein references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” meansthat a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in thespecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Some embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and“connected” along with their derivatives. For example, some embodimentsmay be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or moreelements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term“coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not indirect contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interactwith each other. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary,“or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example,a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true(or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or notpresent) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (orpresent).

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elementsand components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the invention. Thisdescription should be read to include one or at least one and thesingular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meantotherwise.

Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciatestill additional alternative structural and functional designs for asystem and a process for contextual chapter navigation through thedisclosed principles herein. Thus, while particular embodiments andapplications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understoodthat the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the preciseconstruction and components disclosed herein. Various modifications,changes and variations, which will be apparent to those skilled in theart, may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the methodand apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the spirit andscope defined in the appended claims.

1. A method for navigating a plurality of chapters within a video, themethod comprising: presenting, during playback of a video, an on-screendisplay to a user, the on-screen display including a timeline having ademarcation for a beginning of each of a plurality of chapter of thevideo and having a marker corresponding to a current position in thevideo playback, and the on-screen display including at least one imagefrom each of the plurality of chapters displayed in order in a line,wherein a focus identifier marks an image of a chapter corresponding tothe current position within the video playback; receiving a chapter skipinput; moving the at least one image from each chapter one positionalong the line with respect to the focus identifier, according to thechapter skip input; resuming playback of the video at a chapteridentified by the focus identifier.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe on-screen display includes a video preview from at least one of theplurality of chapters of the video that is displayed in order in theline with the rest of the at least one images from the rest of theplurality of chapters.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the videocomprises secured media content on a flash memory device.
 4. The methodof claim 3, further comprising: initiating playback of the video fromthe flash memory device; reading metadata from the flash memory device;matching the read metadata from the flash memory device with the video;and assembling the video and the metadata in a memory structure toretrieve for playback and display.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein themetadata comprises chapter titles, chapter start times and location onthe flash memory device.
 6. A computer readable medium storinginstructions thereon, the instructions when executed cause at least oneprocessor to: present, during playback of a video, an on-screen displayto a user, the on-screen display including a timeline having ademarcation for a beginning of each of a plurality of chapter of thevideo and having a marker corresponding to a current position in thevideo playback, and the on-screen display including one image from eachof the plurality of chapters displayed in order in a line, wherein afocus identifier marks an image of a chapter corresponding to thecurrent position within the video playback; receive a chapter skipinput; move the at least one image from each chapter one position alongthe line with respect to the focus identifier, according to the chapterskip input; resume playback of the video at a chapter identified by thefocus identifier.
 7. The computer readable computer medium of claim 6,wherein the on-screen display includes a video preview from at least oneof the plurality of chapters of the video that is displayed in order inthe line with the rest of the at least one images from the rest of theplurality of chapters.
 8. The computer readable computer medium of claim6, wherein the video comprises secured media content on a flash memorydevice.
 9. The computer readable computer medium of claim 8, furthercomprising instructions that cause the at least one processor to:initiate playback of the video from the flash memory device; readmetadata from the flash memory device; match the read metadata from theflash memory device with the video; and assemble the video and themetadata in a memory structure to retrieve for playback.
 10. Thecomputer readable computer medium of claim 6, wherein the metadatacomprises chapter titles, chapter start times and location on the flashmemory device.
 11. An apparatus for navigating a plurality of chapterswithin a video, the apparatus comprising: a video screen; and aprocessor, the processor configured to execute: a chapter presentationmodule, the chapter presentation module for presenting, during playbackof a video, an on-screen display on the video screen, the on-screendisplay including a timeline having a demarcation for a beginning ofeach of a plurality of chapter of the video and having a markercorresponding to a current position in the video playback, and theon-screen display including at least one image from each of theplurality of chapters displayed in order in a line, wherein a focusidentifier marks an image of a chapter corresponding to the currentposition within the video playback, a receive module for receiving achapter skip input, a move module for moving the at least one image fromeach chapter one position along the line with respect to the focusidentifier, according to the chapter skip input, and a resume module forresuming playback of the video at a chapter identified by the focusidentifier.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the on-screen displayincludes a video preview from at least one of the plurality of chaptersof the video that is displayed in order in the line with the rest of theat least one images from the rest of the plurality of chapters.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 11, further comprising a secured digital memorydevice interface, the secured digital memory device interface forreceiving a secured media memory device having the video.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured toexecute: a playback module for initiating playback of the video from thesecured digital memory device; a reading module for reading metadatafrom the secured digital memory device; a match module for matching theread metadata from the secured digital memory device with the video; andan assembly module for assembling the video and the metadata in a memorystructure to retrieve for playback and display.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the metadata comprises chapter titles, chapter starttimes and location on the flash memory device